01/25/2022
Mental well-being and the Christian Faith
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23
This is certainly not exhaustive and certainly has room for additional thought, but I wanted to bring out some general tenants I felt would be helpful for those of us that struggle with some level of balance in this area. This has been my personal experience and I am just passing along what I have learned.
Mental health is part of our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. You don't really separate these elements completely. Your hormones drive a huge amount of your brain chemicals. So physically they can be off, throwing out your other systems.
Conversely, the way you adapt and focus on situations in life as well as how you have learned to respond also drives your body hormones and brain chemistry. Thats why scripture says a merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Emotional and physical well-being as well as responses drive each other in the issues of mental health. Scripture goes on to say to keep the heart with all diligence, because out of it flows all the issues of life. Sometimes we need to reprogram how we think to respond emotionally in a biblical way. The truth sets us free from toxic emotions. We also can find much physical health and well-being from listening to God's dietary advice for the body. In salvation, our spirit can be regenerated.
So we see Scripture helps us navigate issues of body, soul (emotion, will, etc), and spirit. Sometimes spiritually we have a deep depressive state. Maybe We are not right with God and perhaps we are dealing with past sins, lies of the enemy, and past guilt or even current rebellion. God heals our inner man. Sometimes there in a spirit of some form that has attached itself to us, depressive, oppressive, or even demon possessive. There is not a one size fits all. We have to do a bit of investigative detective work to find the root. But then deal with it.
Whether we need to adjust our diet and routines to maintain proper physical health, or change the way we think by learning what God thinks, and replacing our thoughts with His, or dealing with a spiritual stronghold, whether demonic or otherwise. God has the authority (and has delegated that authority to us) to deal with these things on all levels. And remember, When in doubt, cast it out! 🙂 or find a spiritual brother that will agree with you to do this very thing. Spiritual oppression causes depression and is a very real thing. Much more common than demonic possession. Feel free to contact me about a situation you may be dealing with. God brings deliverance.
Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Proverbs 4: 20, 22 – My son, give attention to my words; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 3:8 – It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. (This refers to wisdom and the fear of the Lord, which is necessary to our overall well being.)
Psalm 107:20 – He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
